Archive for the 'Los Angeles Kings' Tag Under 'Ducks' Category

LOS ANGELES -- Here is the potential lineup that the Ducks (44-16-7) will start with against the Kings on Saturday night at Staples Center. Cam Fowler is questionable for the game due to a lower-body injury suffered Friday when hit by Colorado's Patrick Bordeleau in the Ducks' 6-4 win. Stephane Robidas is getting closer to returning from a broken leg suffered on Nov. 29 but he's targeting Tuesday's game against Washington for his Anaheim debut. Since Jonas Hiller got tested often against the Avalanche, we'll guess that Frederik Andersen (15-4-0, 2.28 GAA, .922 SV%) will get the start in goal.

LOS ANGELES -- In the first NHL game to be played outdoors in Southern California, Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller would star under the bright lights of Dodger Stadium.

Hiller stopped all 36 shots thrown at him by the Kings and his fourth shutout of the season would lift the Ducks to a 3-0 victory before 54,099 who were witness to history Saturday night.

It was quite the comeback for Hiller, who was pulled after allowing three goals on just 11 shots in the Ducks' 3-2 loss to Winnipeg on Tuesday. The defeat was the first for the Ducks (39-10-5) in regulation at home but the Swiss netminder atoned for that 32 miles up the road.

Hiller was razor sharp from the moment Wayne Gretzky dropped the puck for the ceremonial faceoff and Jordin Sparks finished off the national anthem. He made 20 of those shots in the first period, including a penalty shot by Kings center Anze Kopitar.

Corey Perry and Matt Beleskey supported Hiller with first-period goals while Andrew Cogliano finished off the Kings with an empty-net score. Perry put in a loose puck after Kings goalie Jonathan Quick couldn't fully secure Ryan Getzlaf's shot just 2:45 into the first.

LOS ANGELES -- Here is the potential lineup that the Ducks (38-10-5) will start with against the Kings on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium in the first outdoor game to be played in Southern California. Jonas Hiller (23-6-4, 2.41 GAA, .912 SV%) will get the start after sitting Thursday as Frederik Andersen stopped 30 shots in a 2-1 win over the Kings. Bryan Allen did not return after a big third-period hit by the Kings' Trevor Lewis but the defenseman took part in Friday's practice and appears to be available.

ANAHEIM -- Here is the potential lineup that the Ducks (37-10-5) will start with against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. Frederik Andersen (12-2-0, 1.93 GAA, .931 SV%) will make his first start against their Southern California rivals as Jonas Hiller will be back in for Saturday's rematch at Dodger Stadium. Dustin Penner returns to the lineup after sitting out Tuesday against Winnipeg. Luca Sbisa is available to play but Mark Fistric remains in.

LOS ANGELES -- It was a picture-perfect, city-of-commerce day at Dodger Stadium, one ripe for a baseball game to be played.

The sun loomed everywhere along with the corresponding blue sky on an 80-degree Monday afternoon. It will be that way all week.

Except this is the middle of January and there is supposed to be a hockey game played at the famous edifice in less than two weeks. Dan Craig, the NHL's resident ice guru, is in charge of building an ice rink amid conditions more suited for heading out to Newport Beach or Malibu.

No problem, Craig says. The Ducks and Kings will not be skating in slush or pools of water when the puck drops at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 for the first regular-season NHL outoor game played west of the Mississippi.

ANAHEIM -- Fresh off their comeback win over Vancouver on Sunday night, the Ducks have an opportunity to put some distance between the rest of the contenders in the Pacific Division.

In the month of January, the Ducks will be at Phoenix on Saturday and get the Canucks again at home next week. They'll also have two games against the Kings in a three-day span, including the outdoor game on Jan. 25 at Dodger Stadium.

With the overtime victory over the Canucks, the Ducks stayed seven points ahead of second-place San Jose in the Pacific and pulled 11 points ahead of the third-place Kings.

There are also ramifications within the Western Conference. The Ducks are tied with Chicago for the NHL points lead with 67 nad have contests against the Blackhawks and St. Louis on the road next week.

ANAHEIM -- Martin Jones etched his name into the rivalry between the Kings and Ducks with a first start in the NHL for his personal memory book.

The first game for Jones ultimately became a nine-round shootout but the North Vancouver native was very much up to the task, not allowing the Ducks to beat him in it as the Kings ultimately pulled out a 3-2 win Tuesday night at Honda Center.

Dwight King scored in the ninth round, becoming the first to finally beat a game Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller. Jones, who made 26 saves through regulation and overtime, easily turned away Mathieu Perreault's attempt.

"It’s still sinking in a little bit," said Jones, who was 9-2-2 with a 2.24 goals-against average at Manchester in the AHL. "It’s something I’ve worked for, for a long time. And to get a win in the first start is pretty special. I’m sure I’m going to enjoy it tonight."

King's goal spoiled a stellar effort in defeat by Hiller, whose 49 saves were two off his career regular-season high.

ANAHEIM -- Here is the expected lineup that the Ducks (18-7-4) will put on the ice Tuesday night against the Kings in the first matchup of the season between the Southern California rivals at Honda Center. Jonas Hiller (9-4-3, 2.70 GAA, .904 SV%) hasn't gotten his game completely kicked into gear yet but he has an 8-8-2 mark with a 2.46 goals-against and two shutouts lifetime against the Kings. Defenseman Bryan Allen (lower body) is a game-time decision according to Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau but the signs are pointing toward his return after missing three games.

ANAHEIM -- Orange will be the new black for the Ducks -- at least on Jan. 25 at Dodger Stadium.

Black has been the dominant color in the Ducks' uniform scheme since their big change from eggplant and jade prior to the 2006-07 season but the appearance by them and the Kings in the Stadium Series outdoor game requires some special sweaters for the occasion.

Voila! The Ducks and Kings released the jerseys that will be worn that day and each will feature the NHL's specially-designed chrome logos on the front. And they'll also have a distinctive look that should, if nothing else, pop off the white ice surface.

The Ducks are using an orange jersey for the first time with black, white and metallic gold accents and the team's official webbed-D logo while the Kings will wear grey with black across the shoulders while re-emphasizing the updated crown logo.